Blast hits Japanese vehicle in Iraq

An explosion has damaged a Japanese military vehicle in southern Iraq and officials were investigating whether it was an attack on troops, the Japanese government's top spokesman said.

23 Jun 2005 18:14 GMT

Australian and British forces are helping in the investigation

A four-vehicle convoy from the Japanese Ground Self-Defence Forces encountered an explosion on Thursday as they were driving near the southern Iraqi town of Samawah, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda said.

There was no immediate report of injuries.

The front windshield of one of the vehicles was cracked, Hosoda told reporters. "It is not yet clear if this was a deliberate attack, and we are investigating," Hosoda said.

The Prime Minister's Office said officials have set up a task force to gather information.

Australian and British forces were working with Iraqi police in Samawah to investigate, according to Japan's Kyodo News agency.

Kyodo said the convoy had been heading to a construction site near Samawah.